Sigh. I haven't properly washed the floors since just before moving kitty here mid-Jan. My current floor cleaning method (Lysol multisurface + warm water in a spray mop) isn't cat safe (prev home was carpeted). But I can't afford to buy special cleaners.
So I'm leaning towards saving up for a budget steam mop. We have some kind of engineered fake-hardwood-looking flooring, and apparently you can use that on it with just water and a low steam setting?
Anyone have tips or advice?
After doing some more research & comparisons, I think the Bissell 19401 steam mop might be my best option for washing the floors. Budget friendly, pretty good reviews. It's basically a 1940 so it shares all the same features but lower price. Reviewers even gave instructions on how to avoid the pads getting smelly, etc.
Hopefully it's still on sale next month lol. We get a little extra via GST rebate in April.
In the meantime I'll try the vinegar method.
@Texan_Reverend disinfecting & light dirt removal. I do spot clean (moreso now since a wheelchair wheel tracked something across the kitchen 😂).
With @retrosponge diabetes I want to make sure the floors are clean for him to step on barefoot if he needs to. I always wear sandals in the house lol (I can't walk on hard floors). But also I like having a clean home, though it can get difficult when things flare up to stay on top of it.
I use a dry microfiber mop every day or two for dust, hair etc.
@mechangel @retrosponge Ok, then. The light dirt removal is largely going to be accomplished by the mechanical action of the mop plus any liquid, even plain water. So, the disinfecting is the key component to achieve in a kitty-friendly way.
My recommendation would be hypochlorous acid (aka HOCL) which is food safe and can be made at home with a device about the size of a kettle. It means a little cost up front, but it's much cheaper than stuff like Lysol in the long-term.
@mechangel @retrosponge Hospitals and restaurants use HOCL as a disinfectant which does not leave a residue or need to be wiped/rinsed off before food or hands touch the same surface.
It's useful as a hand sanitizer applied to directly to the skin, as it can destroy norovirus which alcohol sanitizers can't - along with all the other stuff alcohol sanitizers can. It's even an option for wound cleaning and care.
@mechangel @retrosponge To make HOCL solution, you need the generator, distilled water, non-iodized salt, and a splash of hydrogen peroxide to help stabilize it. The solution is not very stable and will break back down to saline in a couple weeks. It's very difficult to make shelf-stable for a particularly long timeframe which is part of why it's not on every grocery store shelf. So, making a weekly batch is a good plan.
If you decide to go this route, I can help you track down a generator.
@mechangel @retrosponge It's especially weird since it's just saline that's had an electrical current run through it. It's less wildly less dangerous than laundry bleach or pool chlorine.
...you can safely splash it into your eyes.
Why would it be a regulated substance?
Diana Greenhalgh
Pomegranate_Stew
Texan_Reverend
Tired Sponge